Since coming to Mérida, we have heard reports of horrific crimes back home in the Colonies. The threat of kidnapping, retribution to family members, and personal danger has been very unsettling. Families have chosen to leave for short periods or even to sell out and go, rather than live with fear and suspicion.

Fortunately here we feel safe, not only within the protection of the temple block, but in moving around town to do business and even traveling to the units out of town. Mérida has traditionally been a quiet area, away from the drug traffic route and the people want to keep it that way.

When we registered with the U.S. Consulate in Mérida,we began getting e-mails that are sent to travelers and residents in foreign countries. The first paragraph of this one, for example, begins with a reassuring tone: While millions of U.S. Citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business, but quickly gets to the real business: increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one is a victim of crime. Common-sense precautions, such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas, avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, and exercising prudence in where one visits during the evening hours and at night, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent fight for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S. - Mexico border in an apparent response to the Government of Mexico’s initiatives to crack down on narco-trafficking organizations. In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have taken on the characteristics of small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and, on occasion, grenades. Firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but particularly in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez. The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted.

A U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure. U.S. citizens are encouraged to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone, and should carry a GSM-enabled cell phone that functions internationally. Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. In a recent incident, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack. As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.

This message corroborates Gerhard's feelings that we shouldn't be out when there are street parties or celebrations for holidays. We will have to watch those things on TV, it looks like.

U. S. Consulate in Mérida: Calle 60 no. 338 k, telephone (52) (999) 942-5700.
The American Citizens Services Section of the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico is open from
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To read an updated Travel Alert, see: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html> .